Gallery Title
Gallery Title
A Mother's Memorial
Accession Number NWHRM : 6333
Description
Ornate commemorative frame containing details of Charles Rowell. The frame quotes Alfed Tennyson's poem Ode on the Death of the Duke of Wellington: 'The path of duty was the way to glory'. It is a mother's personal memorial to her son; the printed central panel states: 'In Loving memory of my dear son Sgt Charles Rowell, 5th Norfolk Regiment, who was reported missing, later killed April 9th 1917 aged 26 years.
Read MoreA Mother's Memorial
This is a good illustration of how details of service can easily become confused. Charles Rowell (29767), was in fact a Corporal in the 7th Battalion. In early 1917, General Nivelle, Commander in Chief of the French forces proposed a major spring offensive to destroy the German army by an act of 'brute force' based on his artillery techniques and massed reserves. The British Army's contribution centred on Arras. The 7th Battalion Norfolk Regiment, together with Suffolk and Essex Battalions, formed the 35th Brigade of the 12th (Eastern) Division. At 10.05 am on the 9th April 1917, the Brigade advanced towards Tilloy Quarry, where the Germans began to surrender in large numbers. By 1.30 pm the Norfolks had captured at least 250 Germans, 7 field guns and 6 machine guns at the cost of 2 officers killed and 3 wounded, 21soldiers dead, 135 wounded and 6 missing. Charles Rowell was one of those 6, later notified as killed in action.
